Job Details

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of technical skills, reliability, and customer service abilities that support the safe and efficient operation of landfill and recycling facilities. They will demonstrate experience in building and grounds maintenance, as well as proficiency in operating and maintaining heavy equipment. The successful candidate will be dependable, show up consistently, and take pride in being punctual and completing assignments responsibly. They will be detail-oriented and capable of accurately monitoring landfill gas systems, measuring and inspecting refuse, and collecting fees in accordance with established procedures. Strong communication skills and a customer-focused approach are essential, particularly when assisting the public in recycling and diversion areas. The ideal candidate will also be adaptable, able to perform a wide variety of tasks in both independent and team settings, and committed to maintaining a safe, clean, and environmentally responsible worksite. The list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and it may also be used to fill other vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be: 

One year of experience which has included maintenance of buildings or grounds.

Or

One year of experience performing duties comparable to those of a Recycling Center Specialist in the County of Santa Cruz.

Special Requirements, Conditions: 

License Requirements: Upon hire, possession of a valid California class C driver license; Possession of a valid class B driver license, with Tank Endorsement within six months of hire.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. 

Incumbents are required to work weekends and holidays. Physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this job description. 

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; confined spaces; heights, such as on fences and equipment; high levels of noise; strong, unpleasant odors; infections which might cause chronic disease or death; dust and silica dust; allergenics, such as stinging insects and poison oak; vibration, such as when operating heavy equipment; and the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury, exposure to non-ionizing radiation, and contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the use of building repair and ground maintenance hand tools and related equipment. Some knowledge of basic recordkeeping or cashiering and basic arithmetic; the routine maintenance and operation of trucks and other light equipment; and vehicle and heavy equipment safety practices. 

Ability to: Perform heavy physical labor which involves frequent bending, pulling, pushing, lifting and carrying items such as sacks of mulch, hay bales, and loading divertible and recyclable items into bins and semi-trailers; perform minor building repair and maintenance, such as painting, cleaning rain gutters and replacing doors; operate a cash register or other computing equipment; make simple arithmetic calculations; accurately and consistently identify refuse loads and calculate fees; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others; learn to operate heavy equipment used at landfill sites; learn to maintain and regulate pumps; lift items weighing up to 75 pounds; walk or stand for up to eight hours while performing tasks such as picking up litter and directing traffic; hear and distinguish various sounds, such as voices of co-workers in noisy environments and the sound of operating equipment; distinguish colors, such as color-coded medical waste bags; follow oral and written instructions; organize assigned tasks and work independently; act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated in the job announcement.  If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.  The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants.  If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.